Theatrum Terrae Sanctae et Biblicarum Historiarum, by Christian van Adrichem. Cologne: Birckmannica, 1628 (imprint from colophon). Latin.
The influential work of Catholic priest Christian van Adrichem (1533-1585), considered one of the most important works on the geography of Palestine in the Modern Era. The book, compiled over close to thirty years, was published posthumously, and for the following two hundred years served as the basis for maps by many cartographers.
The book contains twelve engraved maps: nine maps of the territories of the Tribes of Israel, a map of the Desert of Paran and two larger maps of particular significance – a map of Jerusalem (showing the gates and the central sites; the first map to depict the 14 stations of the Via Dolorosa), and a map of all Palestine (after which cartographers such as Thomas Fuller, Jan Jannson and Nicholas Visscher modeled their maps). In this copy, the two sheets comprising the map of Palestine were bound separately, one after the other (in other copies the sheets were joined to form one large, folding plate).
[5] ff., 286 pp., [19] ff. (originally: [15]; four leaves were bound twice) + [1] engraved title page and twelve engraved maps (on 13 folding plates). F. 267-8 bound after f. 269-70. 37.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Minor tears and blemishes. Closed and open tears to edges and fold lines of some engraved plates (in the maps of Jerusalem and Palestine – tears affecting engraving); a few tears mended with paper. One plate trimmed at bottom edge (minor damage to engraving). Some plates smaller than book's pages. Handwritten notations to margin of title page and last page. Parchment binding, worn and damaged.
